Gladys Whitcomb Geissmann (August 6, 1908 – June 1978), better known as Merry Hull, was an American designer and inventor. The sister of illustrator

Jon Whitcomb Jon Whitcomb (1906–1988) was an American illustrator. He was well known for his pictures of glamorous young women. He was born in Weatherford, Oklahoma and grew up in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. He attended Ohio Wesleyan University and graduated ...

, Hull graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University where she was a member of the Alpha Rho chapter of

Delta Gamma Delta Gamma (), commonly known as DG, is a women's fraternity in the United States and Canada with over 250,000 initiated members. It has 150 collegiate chapters and more than 200 alumnae groups. The organization's executive office is in Columbus ...

. Hull invented a new style of "Free Finger" gloves with U-shaped rather than V-shaped tips. This new style of glove was more comfortable than traditional gloves for women with long nails. She sold the patent to the Daniel Hayes Company. In 1938, the gloves sold for between $4.50 and $6.95. According to ''

Life Life is a quality that distinguishes matter that has biological processes, such as Cell signaling, signaling and self-sustaining processes, from that which does not, and is defined by the capacity for Cell growth, growth, reaction to Stimu ...

'' magazine, Hull would earn $200,000 if a million pairs were sold. In 1939, the

Lord & Taylor Lord & Taylor was the oldest brick and mortar department store in the United States, in business from 1826 to 2020. The brand was purchased during former owner Le Tote's 2020 liquidation bankruptcy and relaunched by new owner, Saadia Group, as ...

department store awarded Hull a $1,000 prize for her ingenuity. In 1946, Merry Hull created a "Turnabout Unit," a set of bolero, hat, bag, and belt that could be made at home from a pattern. A response to wartime shortages, the "Turnabout Unit" allowed women to update their wardrobes with fabric they already owned. The patterns were sold for ten cents by '' This Week'' magazine. In 1948, the B. Altman department store announced a new line of clothing for young boys from Merry Hull. This new line, "Merry Mites," included a full range of styles for toddler and preschool boys. The clothing was designed with big buttons and strategic zippers for ease of dressing. The adjustable fit allowed each item to be worn by a growing boy for up to two years. The inspiration for "Merry Mites" was Hull's own young son. Hull was the

Neiman Marcus Fashion Award The Neiman Marcus Award for Distinguished Service in the Field of Fashion was a yearly award created in 1938 by Carrie Marcus Neiman and Stanley Marcus. Unlike the Coty Award, it was not limited to American-based fashion designers. Recipients of th ...

winner in 1949.

References

External links

Patent: Glove construction (1938)Patent: Glove (1940)Patent: Footwear (1945)Patent: Scarf (1946)Patent: Glove (1951)Patent: Child's Garment (1953)Patent: Slide fastener closure for apparel (1953)Patent: Baby's Garment (1954)

Patent: Trouser pocket construction (1956)Patent: Slide fastener construction (1960)''Life'' Magazine, August 29, 1938
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hull, Merry 1908 births 1978 deaths American fashion designers American women fashion designers Children's clothing designers Ohio Wesleyan University alumni